Sinking Dolphins

NFL

October 25, 2000|By Steve Svekis, Miami Bureau

In the past six years, the Miami Dolphins have turned blowing a big lead (and derailing the season) into an art form.

JAN. 8, 1995, IN SAN DIEGO

In Dan Marino's last true chance at the Super Bowl, Miami led 21-6 with less than seven minutes left in the third quarter. Then, Bernie Parmalee was tackled in the end zone to cut the lead to 21-8, but with less than a minute left, the Dolphins still led 21-15.

But with 35 seconds left, receiver Mark Seay slipped out into the right flat for an 8-yard touchdown reception from Stan Humphries, and the Chargers led 22-21.

The Dolphins, aided by a pass interference penalty, moved the ball to the Chargers' 31. Instead of going for a short gain, the Dolphins threw deep, and incomplete, a couple of times. A poor snap led to a hooked 48-yard, field-goal attempt by Pete Stoyanovich at the gun, and the Chargers went on to win in Pittsburgh and go to Super Bowl XXIX at Joe Robbie Stadium.

OCT. 8, 1995, IN MIAMI

The Dolphins were 4-0 and playing a 2-2 Colts team that had journeyman Jim Harbaugh at quarterback. Miami led 24-3 with less than four minutes left in the third quarter.

But Harbaugh, who would earn the moniker "Captain Comeback" during the Colts' 1995 run to the AFC Championship Game, was undeterred. After a fourth-quarter touchdown pass made it 24-17 with 6 minutes, 37 seconds left, he mocked then-Dolphins linebacker Bryan Cox's sack dance.

Then, with 1:09 left, Harbaugh found Aaron Bailey on a 21-yard touchdown pass to tie it. In overtime, Cary Blanchard hit a field goal to give the Colts a 27-24 victory. The Dolphins' 4-0 start turned into a 9-7 season and a wild-card shellacking in Buffalo in Don Shula's final game as coach.

OCT. 27, 1997, IN MIAMI

This debacle came at the hands of Dave Wannstedt's Chicago Bears. The game had been moved from Sunday to Monday night, because the Florida Marlins played the Cleveland Indians in Game 7 of the World Series that day.

With less than 71/2 minutes left in the fourth quarter, the 5-2 Dolphins led the 0-7 Bears 33-18. But two touchdown passes by Erik Kramer tied it, and a field goal by Jeff Jaeger in overtime gave the Bears a 36-33 victory. The Dolphins staggered to another 9-7 season, losing 17-3 at New England in a wild-card game.